Mixing and matching my solar system

[BradBjorn]

I'm working on my first solar project and I have a problem. I've watched a ton of videos, but I might have bought some stuff that doesn't work together.

My main question is about getting my Sol-Ark inverters to talk to my batteries. I didn't realize they had a list of approved batteries. I have three 15 kilowatt-hour DIY battery boxes and I need to make them work with the Sol-Arks.

I'm hoping someone here can help me figure this out. I know the battery management system has to have the final say. Is there a way to connect these two systems so they work safely? Has anyone else had a similar issue with non-approved batteries? Any tips please!

 

[Greg0riee3]

Sol-Ark's approved list is for easy plug-and-play but it's definitely possible to use unlisted batteries! You just need to use a communication protocol like CanBus or Modbus to bridge the gap. This means diving into the Sol-Ark's advanced settings to manually configure it to your specific BMS. Look for a custom battery option in the menus, then you'd need to input your battery's voltage and current limits directly. Check both your BMS and Sol-Ark manuals for details. It takes a little more effort, but it's totally doable. Good luck!

 

[Opt123]

I'm working on my first solar project and I have a problem. I've watched a ton of videos, but I might have bought some stuff that doesn't work together.

My main question is about getting my Sol-Ark inverters to talk to my batteries. I didn't realize they had a list of approved batteries. I have three 15 kilowatt-hour DIY battery boxes and I need to make them work with the Sol-Arks.

I'm hoping someone here can help me figure this out. I know the battery management system has to have the final say. Is there a way to connect these two systems so they work safely? Has anyone else had a similar issue with non-approved batteries? Any tips please!

I agree with what @Greg0riee3 said.
The key is to find out exactly what BMS your batteries have and what communication protocols it supports, like Modbus or CANBus.
It may take some effort to get the real-time communication working, but this manual configuration will get your system operating safely.
Just make sure you double-check all your numbers before you power it on.
It also helps to get the latest firmware on your Sol-Ark!!
Sometimes they add support or improve the custom battery feature with updates, which can save you a lot of headaches. Good luck!

 

[burnside55]

Sol-Ark's approved list is for easy plug-and-play but it's definitely possible to use unlisted batteries! You just need to use a communication protocol like CanBus or Modbus to bridge the gap. This means diving into the Sol-Ark's advanced settings to manually configure it to your specific BMS. Look for a custom battery option in the menus, then you'd need to input your battery's voltage and current limits directly. Check both your BMS and Sol-Ark manuals for details. It takes a little more effort, but it's totally doable. Good luck!

Thanks for sharing this! I'm new to solar setups and just helping my dad set up a Sol-Ark 8K with some spare lithium batteries we got from a local shop. This custom battery option sounds promising!

Quick question, how do you know if your BMS supports CanBus or Modbus? And is there a way to test the connection before fully wiring it up?

 

[Greg0riee3]

That's a great project to be working on with your dad. The easiest way to check if your BMS supports CanBus or Modbus is to look at its manual or product page and see a list of supported protocols. You can also check the BMS itself for ports labeled CAN or RS485. You don't have to fully wire everything up for testing the connection. Just connect the communication cable between the Sol-Ark and the BMS, then power on both systems. Check the Sol-Ark's display and look for the battery's voltage and SOC to appear, which confirms the inverter has successfully established communication with the battery. If it works, you know the connection is solid and it's safe to connect the main battery cables.

 

[fullych4rg3]

Sol-Ark's approved list is for easy plug-and-play but it's definitely possible to use unlisted batteries!

yeah, it's totally possible. The 'communication' isn't just for showing you a cool screen, it's for safety. Make sure you find the Sol Ark's 'Lithium Batt Info' screen and manually set the voltage and current limits exactly as your DIY battery's manual states.
This is the most important step for a safe setup